Pages

Friday, 27 February 2015

This world is trying to kill Lily
Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that
others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is
determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and
longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her
graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is
in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by
powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian
. . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily
weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing
world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone
and a love she never expected.

Review:

This book pulled me in with its intriguing synopsis and the
second it really kicked off I was hooked. The first 50 or so pages which took
place in Lily’s home universe were admittedly hard to get through because I was
waiting for that action to get me out of my slump, but I was not disappointed.

There was always something going on or at least some disastrous
plan being put into place, so I couldn’t (and didn’t) put this book down. One
of the best things about this book was the world building. I’ve said it before,
but it can either make or break a novel and sometimes I will stop reading if it
doesn’t work. In Trial by Fire it was perfect. Josephine works it effortlessly
into her writing along with the beautiful descriptions of the world.

I did have one problem with it though; there was a lot of science.
It was a huge plotline with the comparisons of science to magic, the problems
it’s caused and while it was interesting, when Lily started talking about
nuclear energy etc etc it just went over my head. God, I’m taking science but
it’s not something I usually want to read about in my books.

That aside though and this was a great quick read. The characters
didn’t fall into the usual moulds with Lily as a main protagonist determined to
be her own person but able to rely on others when needed, and Rowan who while exasperating
at first gradually grew on me. Then there was Lillian who is a whole other
story…

In the end I think fans of fantasy, even people outside of
that genre are prone to liking this book, so I’d definitely recommend you give
it a go.

My reaction to this book:

Favourite Quotes:

“The people who love you will guide you
like bright lights into the other worlds.”

“There comes a day when every girl loses
the stars in her eyes. And then she can see clearly.”

“Funny how quickly the mind moves, but
how slowly time does when you’re in pain.”

"Did you sleep at all?"

"No." She
heard him mumble something to himself and decided to cut him off before he
could scold her again. "My butt did, though. Slept like a log all night.""Well,
obviously, your butt has more sense than you do."

Disclaimer

I can guarantee that all of my reviews are honest, which includes the reviews I have written based on review copies I have received which are clearly specified. The fact that they are review copies has no impact on my thoughts and opinions stated in the review. I do not receive any form of monetary compensation for my reviews from authors/publishers.